Former Boone County Judge Ruth LaVerne Grayson died Sunday, September 23, 2012, at the Hospice House in Harrison. LaVerne was born on June 6, 1937, at Seymour, Texas, the daughter of Charles Vincent and Mattie Myrl (Key) Harrell.

Mrs. Grayson was an active member of the First United Methodist Church along with her husband Eddie Joe Grayson who precedes her in death along with her parents. LaVerne had a long list of civic and community activities that she had been involved in through the years in Harrison.

She graduated from Twin Lakes Vo-Tech LPN program in 1967, and was in the first graduating class of the North Arkansas College RN program in 1977. LaVerne later served on the North Arkansas College Board of Trustees for 7 years. Nursing and helping people at the very heart of their needs led her to work at North Arkansas Regional Medical Center from 1967 to 1978. Mrs. Grayson continued on in the health field by serving the local public health units, Arkansas State Employee Assoc Dist. 13 Director; Arkansas Public Health Assoc, 21 year member, Past President, Vice President and American Public Health Rep from Arkansas; Arkansas Hometown Health Improvement Project member for Boone County; and ARC State Service Council Member and Past Chairperson.

LaVerne was active in American Red Cross as Past Chairperson and member for 15 years, Salvation Army, Rotarian, NoArk Girl Scouts nominating committee and of course was Boone County’s first female County Judge. Recently Mrs. Grayson had received an award for being in the first class of Harrison’s Distinguished Women and had always been a strong supporter of Hospice and the Hospice House. Mrs. Grayson was always willing to work together with people to accomplish goals that needed to be met. LaVerne was always a strong Goblin and Arkansas Razorback fan.

Services were Wednesday, September 26, 2012, at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. John Darnall speaking. Burial was in Maple Leaf cemetery following the service. Visitation was Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home.

Dr. Bill Baker, then President of North Arkansas College, may have summed it up the best when he said, “LaVerne has been a tremendous leader and supporter for Northark. During her lifetime, she has proven that women can raise a family, attain career goals, and become community leaders. She’s a real role model for other women across the state”.